By 
Arsenal wasted the chance to move eight points clear at the top of the Premier League as Liverpool came to life in a tense 0–0 draw at the Emirates Stadium.
The Reds remain one of only two sides to beat Mikel Arteta’s men this season and came closest to breaking the deadlock on Thursday when Conor Bradley struck the crossbar.
In a match reported by the Al Jazeera, Arsenal failed to score at home for the first time this season, but still extended their lead over second-placed Manchester City to six points.
Read more: Reed’s 97th-minute screamer earns Fulham dramatic 2-2 draw against Liverpool
Three straight draws from City over the past week had opened the door for Arsenal to edge closer to a first league title in 22 years.
The Emirates was bouncing before kick-off, but the spectacle between the defending champions and the presumed champions-elect ultimately fell flat.
Both sides battled the treacherous conditions as Storm Goretti delivered torrential rain and swirling winds.
Liverpool have long since fallen out of the title race after beating the Gunners at Anfield in August, but they are now 10 games unbeaten and consolidating their place in the top four.
The visitors spent much of the first half pinned back, yet still produced the best chance before the break. William Saliba’s backpass nearly wrong-footed David Raya and, with the goalkeeper stranded, Bradley’s lob crashed off the underside of the bar.
The momentum shifted after halftime, with Liverpool dominating possession and territory. But the Reds were without three major attacking threats — Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike through injury, and Mohamed Salah on Africa Cup of Nations duty.
That lack of firepower showed. Arsenal were largely untroubled aside from the pace of Jeremie Frimpong, whose bursts forward lacked the final pass. Dominik Szoboszlai, whose free-kick separated the sides in their last meeting, nearly repeated the feat with a dipping effort that arrived too late.
At the other end, Viktor Gyökeres was substituted after another disappointing display, his open-play goal drought now stretching to 10 matches. Arteta turned to his deep bench — Gabriel Jesus, Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Martinelli — in search of a breakthrough.
But Arsenal managed only two meaningful efforts in stoppage time, both Jesus and Martinelli firing too close to Alisson Becker.
A point keeps fourth-placed Liverpool three clear of Newcastle and Manchester United in the race for next season’s Champions League places.
WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR
Comments